Dustin R. Smith said he understands that his actions against a Bangor Township 7-Eleven this past summer deserved appropriate punishment.

In the 18th Judicial Circuit Court Monday, Circuit Court Judge Kenneth Schmidt sentenced Smith, 21, of Bay City to a minimum of 30 months in prison for armed robbery. His stay could be as long as 180 months, or 15 years.

Smith, who pled guilty, pulled what was perceived as a real handgun, to hold up the Bangor Township 7-Eleven, 3543 Old Kawkawlin on July 27 of last year. He asked to purchase two packs of cigarettes, then pulled out the perceived handgun, before walking around the counter and emptying cash from the register.

"I understand the punishment for my actions," said Smith. "...I can recover and I do feel sorry..."

Court records were changed at the sentencing to confirm that the alleged handgun, was in fact, a plastic toy gun that Smith had spray painted black.

An addiction to the drug OxyContin, better known as oxycotton, was one reason Smith said in court for why his life had hit “rock bottom.” Previous to the sentencing, Smith had one misdemeanor on his criminal record.